BioCina Teams Up With CelluTx For Next-Gen CDMO Solutions
BioCina secures exclusive rights to CelluTx's RBPS tech for efficient mcDNA production, enhancing gene therapies and biologics manufacturing.
Breaking News
Jun 15, 2024
Mrudula Kulkarni
BioCina Pty Ltd., a leading global company that specializes
in biologics contract development and its manufacturing, has secured exclusive
rights to integrate CelluTx's advanced recombination-based plasmid system
(RBPS) technology into services offered to the clients of CDMO. RBPS represents
a state-of-the-art method for producing minicircle DNA (mcDNA), involving
precise recombination within a bacterial host. This process separates the
minicircle, which carries the desired gene, from the remainder of the plasmid
backbone. This includes elements such as antibiotic resistance genes and
origins of replication.
This new technology has several advantages over older mcDNA
technologies, including process scalability, exceptionally high recombination
efficiency, higher yields, simpler purification processes due to the clear
separation of minicircles from miniplasmids, and the ability to produce larger
minicircles that can accommodate complex gene cassettes. The streamlined
structure of the mcDNA leads to enhanced and prolonged transgene expression and
makes it less immunogenic and safer for in vivo use.
All these advantages position RBPS as a promising technique
to enhance the production of mcDNA and broaden its possible uses in cell and
gene therapies and other advanced medical treatments. One recent application of
this technology is BioCina's cGMP program for GenomeFrontier, where RBPS plays
a crucial role in scaling up Genome Frontiers CAR-T product.
Mark Womack, CEO of BioCina said that "We are pleased
to announce our partnership with CelluTx enabling BioCina to exclusively
provide this innovative technology to our clients around the world. We have
already witnessed great success in utilizing it within our client portfolio and
eagerly anticipate advancing many other client programs with the
technology."
Womack Further added, "Additionally, Australia offers
one of the most attractive tax incentives available globally (up to 48.5% cash
refund), making it an ideal destination for biologics companies looking to
invest in scaling-up and manufacturing their products.”
CEO of CelluTx's, Maurits Geerlings, said, "We are very
pleased to engage with BioCina for the worldwide deployment of the RBPS
minicircle DNA technology. BioCina has proven capabilities and the highest
commitment to its customers, which has been fundamental to our partnering with
BioCina."